Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, November 22.
Pivac review
Wayne Pivac's Wales future will be decided by a post-autumn review after Saturday's final match against Australia.
WRU bosses Nigel Walker and Steve Phillips are focussed on allowing the team to prepare for the game against the Wallabies, but Pivac will have to come up with answers in a detailed review of the campaign as soon as it finishes. Wales' shock 13-12 loss to Georgia was their eighth defeat of 2022 and a first ever against the Tier Two side. Another poor performance against the Wallabies could well prove one too many for the coach.
Wales will hold their first press conference today since Saturday, with the scrutiny and pressure on the coaching team sure to be at the top of the agenda.
World Rugby to investigate Nic White decision
World Rugby says it is “looking at the circumstances” of the controversial events which saw Australia's Nic White return to the field against Ireland last weekend despite displaying signs he had suffered a brain injury, according to The Irish Times.
He was unsteady on his feet following a tackle which resulted in an accidental collision with a player's boot. He was not permanently removed and was permitted to re-enter the fray after passing a HIA. White has since been stood down for 12 days and will miss the final game of the Wallabies’ tour against Wales on Saturday, with the incident similar to that of Tomas Francis in this year's Six Nations.
Reports say the independent match day doctor and the Australian medical team missed the crucial footage of the dazed White.
Concussion lobby group Progressive Rugby have slammed the initial reaction and decision to allow White to continue.
England missing out on Shaun Edwards rued by Sir Clive
Sir Clive Woodward has criticised England's RFU for not moving to sign former Wales defence guru Shaun Edwards, who has committed to remain with France until the 2027 World Cup.
Edwards said England failed to make an offer despite an initial meeting, saying: "People have asked if I wanted to join England but there was no offer on the table. I went for a walk down the River Thames with Bill Sweeney, the RFU CEO, last year but there's not been much conversation since. It's not for me to push that."
Now, Sir Clive has called out the RFU for not securing his services, saying in his Daily Mail column: "England settling for a draw felt like they were happy with being second best, much like the RFU seem to be in not moving heaven and earth to offer Shaun Edwards a deal to join them as coach. What a mistake it has been not to get Edwards. It is great for France that he is staying with them for four more years but for England it is a crying shame and says so much about the RFU. Only Bill Sweeney, the chief executive, will know why the RFU have scored yet another own goal in ignoring the excellent Edwards."
WIN: Free tickets to watch Wales v Australia in the final autumn international
Georgia would be unhappy if South Africa secured Six Nations spot
Georgia have admitted they would be unhappy if South Africa beat them to Six Nations inclusion, while they do not want any potential involvement to compromise Italy's. The Springboks joining Europe's showpiece rugby tournament has been mooted for some time, particularly since 'Bok teams joining the United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup.
Georgia have made rugby's top bosses sit up in recent months, beating Italy this summer before claiming a first victory over Wales last weekend at the Principality Stadium.
President and vice-president of the Georgia Rugby Union, Ioseb Tkemaladze and Nikoloz Alavidze, are not expecting a Six Nations invitation in the near future, but would relish such an offer - as long as it didn't negatively impact the Italians.
"If Italy were to be kicked out, Italian rugby decreases," Tkemaladze told The Telegraph. "And one or two wins does not decide our future. We need to work and work – as a rugby community – to prove that we can do it. If the Six Nations were open to it, then we are ready. I know that they are looking at us but lots of steps need to be done from our side economically, physically, to show more stability.
“Australia, Wales, Italy, Argentina – Wales beat Argentina, Georgia [beat Wales] and all these were within five to 10 points. We have been playing in the Rugby Europe Championship for 14 years, finishing first. Fourteen years with some 100-0s, 80-0s, there is no competition. But if South Africa are invited instead of us, there will be a reaction."
Paul Tito, the former Cardiff Blues captain and current Georgia assistant coach, said: "When we go to the World Cup, teams aren't going to be able to take us lightly or be able to rotate as many players as they once would. They'll have to take us seriously, because they'll know, on our day, we're not a bad team."
Former Wales Deaf team manager dies
Wales Deaf Rugby has paid tribute to former team manager and long-term supporter Tim Driscoll, who has died.
A statement released on social media said: "Everyone at Wales Deaf is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former team manager, father to former player Sean, and long-time supporter and fundraiser, Tim Driscoll. Tim was a key part of our success during our two-Test series win in South Africa and pivotal to the camaraderie and spirit during his time amongst the group; a true reflection of his infectious personality. Our love and support are passed on to the family during this incredibly difficult period. We will be making arrangements in the near future to commemorate Tim and his commitment to, and impact on Deaf Rugby in Wales."
'Magician' Finn Russell hailed
Darcy Graham believes the presence of "magician" Finn Russell helps make Scotland a far more threatening team.
The Racing 92 stand-off was a surprise omission from the initial autumn series squad but was recalled midway through the campaign and showed his quality in the closing two Tests against New Zealand and Argentina. Russell was particularly impressive in Saturday's 52-29 triumph over the Pumas when he directly set up four of the Scots' eight tries and was involved in another three.
Head coach Gregor Townsend conceded afterwards that the 30-year-old was "in possession" of the jersey ahead of the Six Nations.
Graham - who scored a hat-trick against Argentina, admitted the fly-half is a joy to play alongside.
"It's easy to attack when you've got Finn there," said the Edinburgh winger. "He controls the game very well, he's a magician. It's nice to see him back and on top form. He played amazing on Saturday. You just have to look at that performance to see how he brings out the best in everybody else round about him. When he's on his game, we're a very good team.
"I noticed a huge difference when Finn came into camp. Just the calmness he has, he's so chilled. He directs a lot in training and gets our attack going really well, and then he pulled that performance out the bag against Argentina. He was phenomenal."
Former Wasps captain to join Harlequins
Former Wasps captain Joe Launchbury will join Harlequins ahead of the 2023-24 Gallagher Premiership season.
The England lock, who was last month made redundant after Wasps entered administration, has agreed a "multi-year deal" with Quins. He will spend the remainder of this campaign in Japan, having recently joined Toyota Verblitz on a short-term contract.
Launchbury, who has 70 England caps and was part of his country's squads at the last two World Cups, was a member of Harlequins' academy between the ages of 15 and 18.
"I'm glad to sign on with Quins," he told the club website. "I have fond memories of my time here. I grew up playing with and against a number of the first-team squad, so it has a somewhat familiar feel to come back. I'm looking forward to my time in Japan for the rest of this season, but am very excited for the new start with Harlequins over the summer."
Quins head coach Tabai Matson said: "He is one of the best English locks of his generation. Earning 70 caps for your country and over 170 for a club as prestigious as Wasps, many as their captain, is no mean feat. Joe's a gentleman of the game but is no slouch when it comes to the most physical part of the sport."
Post your message for for the team on our interactive below.
READ NEXT:
Former Wales captain Jones says Wayne Pivac is 'out of his depth' in damning TV verdict
Jamie Roberts calls for change now 'seminal moment' has arrived
Nigel Owens banned from Facebook after sharing homophobic abuse he received
New World Rugby rankings see Wales plummet after Georgia humiliation
